In continuation from yesterday’s post, let’s get down to some examples of female friendly cannabis strains and how to select the best bud for a lady's body.
I have found repeatedly that heavy-footed couch-locking indicas are often ill-advised for my female patients and loved ones. Especially during certain phases of the menstrual cycle when emotions are on edge due to plunging estrogen levels, a strong indica that would normally provide relief can trigger a depressive event. But as is so often the case, pain relief is desperately needed at these times due to intense menstrual cramps, headaches, joint pain, and other inflammatory processes. Since indicas are typically thought off as the go-to choice for killing pain, which way do you turn?
In these scenarios, look for an indica leaning hybrid that has at least 25% sativa influence, or special heirloom indicas such as Hindu Kush, or Korengal Kush that have adapted to high altitude climates. I recommend avoiding pure sativa cultivars if anxiety is at all a concern for you as these highly energizing and stimulating varieties have been known to trigger panic attacks in sensitive individuals. If you are prone to an increase in anxiety before your period, definitely avoid strains such as pure Haze, Panama Red, Mexican, African and Hawaiian sativas as well as other long flowering tropical varietals during this time.
So what is my number one recommendation for reducing female specific pain and anxiety? Hands down -Laughing Lion. This is my cross of a classic sativa-leaning ’91 Chemdog, and the pure indica, LA Confidential. It provides excellent muscle relaxation and relief from menstrual cramps, as well as noted reduction in nausea, stomach distress, and headaches. But what it has that a typical indica lacks is a very pronounced anti-depressant effect. It has a cheerful and happy vibe to it that often causes fits of laughter, and is just the right medicine when emotions are running ragged. It is also a wonderful sleep aid that works very well for calming a chaotic mind and allowing your brain to dial down a few notches before bedtime.
Another great option that is particularly good for daytime use is Lucky Lemon. An all time favourite of the ladies in my life, Lucky Lemon combines the uplifting and euphoric Super Lemon Haze, with the medicinal powerhouse, Romulan. Both of these strains are high in the terpene Limonene, which has been shown to have powerful anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-cancer effects.
The combination of Romulan and Super Lemon Haze in Lucky Lemon balances the cannabinoid profile and enhances the terpene production in such a way as to be especially powerful for women. It kills pain, headaches, and menstrual cramps, while also lifting mood and reducing anxiety. It also has just enough of that motivating sativa influence to keep you functional; allowing you to get shit done when you can’t afford to be locked to the couch, but not so much as to trigger an anxious mental state.
Here are some more tested and proven medical marijuana strains for women:
Peanut Butter Herijuana - An excellent pain relieving, sedating, and stress reducing indica without a depressant effect. Grows like a sativa, but hits like an indica, and works exceptionally well with feminine biochemistry. Excellent choice for symptoms of severe PMS, PMDD, and Endometriosis.
Blueberry (Specifically the "blueberry muffin" sativa phenotype bred by DJ Short) - A profoundly anti-depressant and euphoric classic cannabis strain. Works well for reducing anxiety (somewhat uncommon with sativa leaning strains than can often be overstimulating), along with lowering stress and feelings of overwhelm. Blueberry increases happiness and a positive outlook on life, helps calm upset stomachs and menstrual cramps, while also working well for headaches and muscle pain. Excellent for daytime use due it’s active and motivating effect. Note: Indica Blueberry phenotypes don’t always share the same qualities and can be somewhat depressive, so if you can find older DJ Short F2-F3 stock, your chances of landing a sativa phenotype are much better.
Grapefruit AKA Dynamite: Another female-friendly pure Indica with excellent pain relieving and anti-anxiety qualities. It is quite stimulating and cheerful for an indica and is excellent for social anxiety and reducing recurrent stressful thoughts. It also shows great promise for PTSD. Grapefruit is also high in Limonene, the anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and anti-cancer terpene discussed above.
Space Queen 13: A beautifully balanced hybrid of the super-electric Cinderella 99, and the legendary classic indica, Romulan. I have found Space Queen to be a perennial favourite of my female customers and patients due to it’s powerful medicinal effects derived from Romulan, with the euphoric and anti-depressant traits of the Cindy 99. Time and time again I have found Space Queen to merge beautifully with the female biochemistry in a way that neither of the parent strains do as well on their own.
Korengal Kush: This is an interesting indica from the Korengal valley in Afghanistan in the foothills of the Himalayas, and is most likely an offshoot of Hindu Kush. This indica has adapted to a high altitude climate with harsh environmental conditions, and as such produces very interesting effects typically not seen in an indica. While excellent for pain relief as is typical with heavy indica varieties, it is more stimulating than other Afghani cultivars and can be used when you still need to get work done and can’t afford to be knocked out. When made into hashish, charas, or pressed rosin, the concentrated effects become much more narcotic and sleep inducing.
Majestic 13: In every pack of Majestic 13, you’re sure to find something for every occasion. Whether it’s pain relief, anxiety reduction, sleep aid, or just positive vibes your looking for, this four-way concoction of Blueberry, Romulan, Super Lemon Haze, and Himalayan Hashplant provides something for every lady.
Startropic CBD: This special strain is derived from a very high CBD phenotype of the legendary Cannatonic sativa from Resin Seeds, combined with our medical marvel Romulan. Startropic CBD provides a much more functional and clear headed effect than Romulan, while significantly boosting it's CBD levels and thus anti-inflammatory properties. A first choice for women who struggle with anxiety due to it's extremely calming demeanour. Terpene profiles of Startropic CBD are quite exotic and fruit forward with strong notes of passionfruit, orange, guava, grapefruit, and even caramel. Makes delicious edibles, and is extremely flavourful when vaporized.
In the next instalment of this series on weed for women, I'll get into the juicy details of sex and cannabis and which strains work best in the bedroom. Or kitchen counter. Or wherever.
Professor Sprout